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Friday, July 22, 2005

Morning Map Blather

If you can, get your hands on a copy of this morning's Capitol Morning Report (which is a subscription service so I'd feel wrong uploading a copy here), which includes a page and a half or so of various redistricting decision talking points.

Reader Warning: those with sensitivity to hyperbole should exercise caution when reading the statements of Californians for Fair Redistricting Chairman Bill Mundell and U.S. Rep Nancy Pelosi; those with sensitivity to incorrectly comprehended legal issues should exercise caution when reading the statements of Stacie Hewitt, an Elk Grove U.S.D teacher (and she is?), John Kehoe of the CA Senior Action League, and California Women's Leadership Association's Julie Vandermost. Alternatively, those who appreciate political savvy, and - wait for it - reasonable statements should appreciate the words of Republican State Senator Abel Maldonado, Democratic Assemblyman Tom Umberg, and even, almost, Assembly Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy.

The most frustrated people I've heard and heard from so far are Republicans and/or Schwarzenegger supporters who are outraged that something so incredibly stupid could knock this measure off the ballot (and no, I don't mean the decision is stupid, the decision was legally sound, I mean the mistake was stupid). Think of the donors, said one reader, how do they feel now?

And more importantly, how likely are they to continue bankrolling what's increasingly a comedy of errors staring a guy who we know sucks in comedic roles?

The Governor, of course, (prior to the ruling) was crying "partisan politics!" and blaming the Dems for using trickery to kill a policy with which they do not agree. But he misses the point, as do so many political neophytes. Arnold, dearest, it wasn't the policy that got you, it was the process. You didn't have to lose this initiative: your people just messed up, and messed up bad, on fundamental laws enacted to protect Californians from the misuse of this awesomely powerful popular weapon. And really, we expect more from Ted Costa. Remember, without him, Governor Schwarzenegger, where would you be?

And now our best shot in decades at a much needed reform is dead. NPR reported this morning that any other initiative would basically need to qualify by next Tuesday to meet the in-print requirement before the ballot pamphlets are circulated. Costa et al are good, but they aren't that good.